Ruben Lopez Sotelo

On Saturday, July 25, 2020 Ruben Lopez Sotelo, son of the late Clemente Rodarte Sotelo and Maria Lopez Sotelo passed away in Santa Clara, California at the age of 81. Ruben was born on December 16, 1938 in San Jose California.

At an early age, Ruben began his career as a Window Washer with Pacific Maintenance. He worked for Pacific Maintenance for 40 years before starting his own Janitorial Company. Ruben owned Unique Janitorial until his retirement. He was a great provider for his family

In 1959 Ruben met Mary Ann Medrano. She would be come his one great love. They were married on May 25, 1962. They recently celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary. Their love for one another was beautiful. They not only loved each other but they were great friends; always there for one another. Even as they grew older, it was beautiful to watch them still holding hands. They always looked at each other lovingly and with respect.

Ruben was the proud father of four children; Lisa, Gracie, Mona and Ruben. He was always a loving, caring and playful Dad and Papa. He loved laughing with and at the kids. He was always happy when his family was around. The family had board game tournaments, played 52 pickup and he would often ask us while playing checkers if we wanted him to win fast or slow.

Ruben had a wide range of hobbies like, fishing at Frank's Track and Rio Vista with his fishing pole he called "King Kong". He loved going to yard sales to collect antiques, rebuilding Schwinn bikes with the neighborhood kids and working in his garden. In the last few months Ruben enjoyed coloring with Mary Ann. He was a great cook and loved to BBQ. He was known for his kindness; Ruben had a neighbor who called him "Tony" and he felt bad correcting her, so for 11 years she called him "Tony". Ruben had a great sense of humor. If you spent time with him it wouldn't take long before you were laughing. He also had a sweet tooth and loved when the kids brought him sweets; banana splits, root beer floats and apple pie. He told his daughter, Lisa one day that he was not feeling well and thought maybe a banana split might help. And it sure did.

Ruben is survived by his loving wife Mary Ann Sotelo; Daughters Lisa Sotelo, Gracie Sotelo, Mona Sierraz and son Ruben Sotelo; Grandchildren Gilbert, Alina, Angelina, Michelle and Adriana and one great grandson Leo; Three sisters Pearl Tabios, Mary Valenzuela, Dolores Salazar and brother Richard Sotelo; Son-In-Law Gilbert Sierraz and two Daughter-In-Laws Johanna Leni Sotelo and Sarah Knight.

Services for Ruben will be private with the immediate family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tridentsociety.com/location/san-jose-cremation for the SOTELO family.